2019 - Page 2 of 2 - Macanta Design Build Inc.

Wall vents and why they matter!

May 10, 2019

While worrying about wall vents may seem overly picky to some – it’s the small details that make a big difference.

When I say wall vents, I am referring to the exterior wall mounted vent hoods that are the exhaust point to the outdoors for things like dryers, bathroom fans, HRV’s. They can also serve as intake hoods for equipment like an HRV. Typical ones seen on most homes looks something like this:

Unfortunately, most of these products are not built to last. They are normally the least expensive and most readily available. They are poorly designed and constructed of very light gauge steel, or worse, flimsy plastic. The louvers break, they warp in high heat, crack in extreme cold, allow back-drafting, and seal poorly against the elements. They are a common source of water leaks. The service life of these hoods is not long. When they fail and need to be replaced, it’s a fairly intense procedure as stucco, siding, trim etc are typically caulked/sealed to them. Often stucco or siding repair will be required as a result of replacing.

Over the years, I’ve found a couple of great alternatives, but none as great as the one pictured below (made by a Canadian company called ventilation maximum). A client of mine actually brought these to my attention, and I am grateful!

Available in a number of different sizes and configurations, these hoods are built to last. They are constructed with a heavy gauge rigid steel. Powder coated for durability and a pleasing aesthetic. Most importantly, they are flanged to allow for integration with the house wrap, built with a stand off to allow for a wide array of finishing thicknesses, come with a heavy duty well sealing damper, protected against pests with a heavy steel cage, and perhaps the coolest thing of all- they are designed in such a way to eliminate backdrafts.

Yes – I get overly excited about a wall vent, but they make a huge difference, and they are most certainly worth the upgraded cost which would be measured in the low hundreds for the typical number of them required on an average sized home.

Construction Change Orders: The Change Order Game

May 1, 2019

All-to-often this is the story: a client contacts a builder asking what their project will cost. The client provides some details, maybe the builder visits the client’s home, and then the builder provides a “quote”. This story ends with the total cost of the project exceeding – sometimes drastically so – the initial quote and also the client’s budget. Without detailed plans and final product selections, a quote is NOT fixed and is NOT what the project will actually cost. And how can it be?

Unfortunately, while our city has many amazing builders, there are unreputable companies who are eager to play the change order game. These companies and individuals will provide you with a “fixed” quote based on whatever information you provide to them, without knowing or asking for the details. What they won’t do is let you know that the details matter. They won’t advise you of areas of risk that may cause cost increases, and after you’ve signed an agreement – and after demolition has begun – the change orders will start. You won’t know that their “quote” isn’t fixed-price until it’s too late. This approach is at the very least negligent, and at worst is dishonest.

It isn’t difficult to provide pricing based on partial information and assumptions. Square foot pricing can be used. Pricing on past similar projects can be used. And there’s nothing wrong with starting the discussion in this way if everyone involved (builder and client) understands that there’s a very likely chance the project budget will change as details become known. In fact, we use some of this data to help our clients come up with their initial budget.

It’s important to note that there are many reputable builders in Winnipeg who will provide a fixed-price quote early on in the process, before many details are known; they will make the necessary assumptions and will provide pricing on incomplete information … but they’ll be honest and will tell you up-front that not all details are known, and they’ll openly communicate throughout your project as decisions are made which affect pricing.

These reputable builders will outline the assumptions that they’ve based their pricing on, will advise you on where the areas of risk are, and will advise you that – on top of their quoted price – you should budget an additional x% for upcoming change orders – not just unforseens, but also changes related to finishes that you’re putting in your home such as flooring, tile, finish carpentry, etc. What is critical to understand is that change orders will likely still apply, and what your project costs at the end, after many decisions are made, may not be what you thought it would cost at the start. This approach is OK, however there is still significant room to experience cost overruns.

We’re a bit different; we don’t play the change order game, even with properly set assumptions. We believe in fixed-price construction after as many aspects as possible about your project are known and planned. Only then can a true fixed-cost quote be provided. And if changes are required to adhere to a firm budget, the time to change is BEFORE construction begins – during design — not halfway through the build or renovation. We do advise our clients to keep a contingency budget for legitimate unforseens … but short of these the price we put forward is what the project will cost. Unless the client changes something.

Do we use change orders? Of course. But because of our detailed planning process, and because we don’t under-bid construction projects and then rely on change orders to make up lower-than-needed profit, we’re not surprising our clients with changes that they weren’t expecting. We don’t deliberately under-bid a project with incomplete designs knowing that there will be an additional five to six figures of changes coming. This is unethical.

Most change orders we do put forward are legitimate changes that the client makes (e.g. changing from carpet to hardwoods). On some occasions we’ve run unto a legitimate unforeseen that requires a change to the project (e.g. a buried cast-in-place concrete storage tank right below where the addition is to be built) … and since we’ve advised the client that these things do happen and recommended keeping a bit of a cushion in their budget, these don’t derail the project.

Don’t play the change order game. A major renovation, home addition, or new custom home is something that you’ll be living in for many years to come. Take the time to properly plan, and don’t risk major pricing surprises when you don’t have to.

Are you considering remodeling and renovating your home, adding a home addition, or building a new custom home? Contact us today. And see how our proprietary process can work for you.

Stucco Woes

April 17, 2019

Stucco as an exterior finish works well- if done properly. The unfortunate reality is that it VERY rarely is. One thing that is important to define is that stucco is a reservoir cladding. This means it soaks up water like a sponge, and slowly dries/evaporates. This is true of most any masonry cladding (brick, stone), but is especially true with stucco. This isn’t a problem, provided the following is true:

A ventilation space behind the stucco is critical. It allows the stucco to dry to the front or back. There are numerous ways to achieve this.
An air tight high quality waterproofing membrane against the buildings sheathing is important, especially in a climate like the one where we are, Winnipeg. Weather changes from one extreme to another, and all cladding leaks. With stucco, not only does it unavoidably leak bulk water, it holds it up against the buildings sheathing over, and over, and over again. With most buildings these days being sheathed with osb, this is especially problematic.
Proper flashing methods MUST be used, especially at roof to wall intersections.

Stucco is used heavily, especially on the sides and backs of buildings because it is very cost effective when compared to other cladding options. It is important to note though- if done properly, it no longer has it’s cost competitive advantage.

If we want to make our buildings last, promote healthy indoor air quality, become more energy efficient, and more sustainable- we need to completely re-think the way we deal with exteriors on residential wood frame construction buildings. This includes changing the way stucco is applied.

Results of improperly applied stucco
source: https://www.
greenbuildingadvisor.com/
article/to-install-stucco-
right-include-an-air-gap

Sorting through the differences between Design Styles

April 10, 2019

Have you ever been out shopping for new furniture, or thinking about renovating your house? Have you been asked what kind of style you like? Contemporary, modern, industrial… the list goes on. The challenge in many of these situations is understanding the vocabulary that defines your personal interior design style. With a seemingly never-ending list of unique styles, the task of deciphering what style works best for you could appear daunting.

I have often blended elements from several styles together, and perhaps your style is like this too! But first, let’s figure out which design styles resonate with you. I have picked out 11 popular design styles and identified their core characteristics.

1. Modernism

Design is an interpretation from early to mid 20th Century
The focus is on simple form and function, think streamline silhouettes
Natural Materials are used – wood, leather, stone
Crisp lines, warm neutrals, balance

https://www.architecturaldigest.com
Photo: William Waldron

2. Contemporary

Continually evolving design, showcasing popular current design
Design style is fluid, less adherence to any one particular style
Neutral colours, clean lines, minimalistic
Materials include nickel, steel, and chrome are combined with natural materials

https://www.architecturaldigest.com
Photo: Nikolas Koenig

3. Minimalism

Comes from the concept that less is more
Design elements highlights simplicity, basic geometric forms, no decoration, and visual hierarchy
Lots of empty space in rooms
Colour palette tends to be limited or monochromatic
Utilizes clean lines

4. Industrial

Draws inspiration from warehouses and/or urban lofts
Elements have a sense of being unfinished – exposed brick, wood, and ducts
High ceilings, timber, metal light fixtures
Neutral colour scheme that complements the primary materials. Splashes of colour introduced through artwork
Colour palette is darker and more masculine

5. Rustic

Complements industrial style
Colour palette is lighter, more feminine
Draws inspiration from farmhouse, cabin, and nature
Elements include vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, natural wood finishes, light colours, distressed finishes, reclaimed wood floors

6. Mid-Century Modern

Draws inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s
Has elements of minimalism, sleek lines with organic and natural shapes
Ornamentation is kept to a minimum
Use of traditional materials mixed with non-traditional materials like metal, glass, plywood
Contrasting materials and colour

7. Scandinavian

Design is based from the Nordic countries – Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland
The design aesthetic is clean and modern with natural elements
Space appears cozy, inviting and soothing
Interiors often characterized by white walls, pale wood floors, and lots of natural light, few accessories with a muted colour palette
Furniture is functional but appears curated with sculptural influence
Other design elements include form-pressed wood, bright plastics, aluminum, and wide plank floors

8. Traditional

Design is inspired by the 18^th and 19^th century. It has lots of classic details and lots of accessories
Interiors often are characterized with warm and dark tones, wood, and variety of textures and curved lines
Symmetry is important to create a calm and orderly space
Architectural details include crown molding, columns, pilasters, and wood paneling
Rooms are often focused around one element, like a fireplace
Colour palette can be bold and saturated, or pale and soft – but will appear welcoming and balanced
Furniture and furnishings reflect historical design elements from England, France, and the Far East
Fabrics are heavy and have a variety of patterns and textures

https://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com

9. Transitional

Transitional interiors maintain the classic elements of traditional design paired with colour and furnishings which are modern in appearance
Colour palette is light and neutral. Dark brown is used for balance and depth
Texture in fabrics add dimensional to the space, like suede, chenille, and leather
The space has a sophisticated feel

10. French Country

The design style appears inspired by farmhouse elements
Colour palette has warm, earthy colours
Design elements contrast texture and colour, like pale walls with dark rough wooden beams
Furnishings are usually wooden, with delicate carved details
Use of natural materials, like stone wall and floor, raw wood, distressed ceiling beams, and plaster walls
Windows usually have shutters
Homes often have a stone fireplace

11. Craftsman

The design style grew from the Arts and Crafts movement in the 1800s through the 1930s
Exterior elements include tapered columns on top of brick or stone, and large porches
Interior elements include tapered columns, clean lines, exposed beams, natural woodwork, board and batten wainscoting, and coffered ceilings
Common features include built ins, wide plank hardwood floors
Colour palettes can range from warm, darker colours that complement wood finishes to soft, muted colours

Archive: May 10, 2019